Noise making toy



June 14, 1960 D. E. BOND NOISE MAKING TOY wV Mww 2 w Filed May 15, 1958Dwuine Elton Bond BY wLQQ.AM QMMJ attorney United States Patent i NOISEMAKING TOY Dwaine Elton Bond, 8221 Lyndrose Drive, Anaheim, Calif.

Filed May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,665

6 Claims. (Cl. 46-61) This invention relates to toys, and moreparticularly to the type of toy commonly known as a Yo-yo and animprovement therein which renders the device audible during its spinningmovement.

it is a primary object of this invention to provide a Yo-yo embodying asound producing mechanism which is actuated by the spinning movement ofthe Yo-yo on its operating string.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Yo-yowhich operates as a free spinning top in the conventional manner and atthe same time produces an exciting sound efiect.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a Yo-yo toy whichsimulates in appearance and operation the conventional spinning top andalso provides a sound eltect by the intermittent actuation of amechanism therein by the relative movement of the Yo-yo and theoperators string.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an audibleYo-yo device having a diaphragm mechanism and a striking member which isactuated by the spinning movement of the device on the operating string.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an audible Yo-yo toyhaving an interior anvil and springtensioned hammer member which areactuated by the relative movement of the Yo-yo and operating string.

Another object of the invention is to provide an audible Yo-yo spinningtop having flexibly mounted, normally engaging sound-producing memberscentered in the grooved portion thereof in a manner to be intermittentlyactuated by the relative spinning movement of the Yo-yo and the windingaction of the operating string.

Yet another object of the invention is to produce a Yo-yo having innerdiaphragms forming the grooved portion thereof, one of which diaphragmshas a tensioned hammer thereon, with another diaphragm providing avibrating member for magnifying the sound effect created by theintermittent actuation of the hammer due to the relative movement of thewinding operating string and spinning of the top.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thepresent invention, both as to its apparatus and method of operation,together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be betterunderstood from the following description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated by way of example. it is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustrationand description only, and is not intended as a definitionofthe limits ofthe invention.

Figure l is a perspective, schematic view of applicants device prior toassembly;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled Yo-yo;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the a m d m chanismand sound-producing means; and

Zfiidiii Patented June 14, 1960 Figure 4 is a partial view in verticalcross section of a modification ofthe sound-producing mechanism.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises dual, substantiallyspheroidal Yo-yo casing or cover members 10 and 11, respectively. Inouter configuration these cover members 10 and 11 are identical, andthey only diifer slightly insofar as their inner structure is concerned.Casing or cover 10 is preferably molded from one of the numerouscommercially available synthetic resins, such as polystyrene, and hasprojecting inwardly thereof a short hub 12, bored or recessed at 13 toreceive the cylindrical aligning pin or member 14 which is initiallyformed or cast with the beforement-ioned opposing plastic coverll.Balancing weighted washers 15 and 16 are fitted on the hub 12 andaligning member 14, respectively, immediately adjacent the insidesurfaces of covers 10 and 11, respectively.

The outer edge 17 of cover 10 has an encircling, inner notched portion18 which is adapted to receive in either a press fit or cementedrelationship, the plastic diaphragm generally referred to as 19.Diaphragm 19 has a slightly enlarged or extended circular edge portion20 which is suitably attached in the encircling notch 18 of cover member10. A laterally projecting hub 21 on diaphragm 19 is journaled on theinwardly projecting, somewhat smaller hub portion 12 previouslydescribed. A nub or nipple 22 is molded into the inner face of diaphragm19, which actually forms one side of the deep groove in the toy.

The outer edge 23 of cover or casing member 11 also has an encircling,inner, notched portion 24, which in turn is adapted to receive plasticdiaphragm 25 that has an extended circular outer edge 26 which issuitably fitted in or cemented to the notched portion 24.

Struck from, or initially molded into the face of diaphragm 25 is anarcuate portion 30 which not only has the flexibility of the plasticmaterial from which it is fabricated, but also the spring actionattending its particular mounting in the diaphragm 25 itself. The lengthof the arcuate spring element 30 willvary the strength of the springaction desired. Molded with, or attached to the end of arcuate spring 30is an inwardly projecting'hammer or striking member 31. The nub ornipple 22 and hammer 31 are normally in engagement in tensioned manner,with their engaging faces centrally disposed in the Y o-yos deep groove,directly in the path of the winding string 32 which is attached at itsinner end to the aligning pin or member'14. The outer end of the stringobviously is held in the operators hand or encircles his finger.

A modification of the spring-actuated hammer or striker mechanism 31 isshown in Figure 4. In this instance the hammer or striker comprises aprojecting lug 33 that is slideable through an opening 34 formed in theface of diaphragm 25, and is spring-loaded by means of a spring 35carried in the housing 36 integrally molded on the inner face of covermember 11. The springloaded hammer 33 engages nipple 22 in exactly thesame manner as previously described with respect to hammer 31. The exactstructural arrangement of striking parts on one side or another isimmaterial as long as they are in aligned tensioned engagement.

Operation of the device is extremely simple. Spinning of the Yo-yo andwinding of the string 32 in the deep groove portion results in theintermittent actuation of the spring-tensioned hammer 31 against thenipple 22. The fast winding string and spinning top causes a snappingaction of the striking mechanism, which creates a sharp intermittentattack of the hammer 31 against the nipple 22 on diaphragm 19. The soundresulting from this rapid striking action is produced in magnifiedvolume by the vibratory effect of plastic diaphragm 19.

The unusual gyrations otthe spinningtop, together with I the excitingsound, makes this device not only an improved, but an entirely difierenttoy. The disposition of the diameter of the pin 14, spacing .betweendiaphragms 19 and 25, and the inner extremity. of .spring 30 must besuch vthat sufiicient space is providedwithin the device 5 V to permitthe string 32 to assume the coiled configuration shown in Figure 2without this coil being in pressure contact with spring 30 wherebynipple 22 and hammer 31'are separated. YShould nipple 22 and hammer 31be separated a distance greater than the thickness of string 32 for theabove reason, the invention would be rendered inoperative insofar asnoise making is concerned, until the coil 32? is sufficiently reduced indiameter that it no longer I contacts spring 30; 1

Although two washers 15 and 16 are shown herein as. a means of addingweight to the invention, it will be apparent that this is their onlyfunction. The weight necessary'to cause the assembly as, shown in Figure2 to rotate and climb back up string 32 may be provided by other means,such. as cover members and 11 of suflicient weight, or the use of aweighted pin 14. When such other weight means are employed, the washers15 and 16 can, of course, be eliminated without in any way changing .theoperation of the invention as above described.

To assure proper alignment of the hammer 31 or lug 33 with nipple-22 inassembling the'invention, it has been found convenient to form notches25a and 11a on the circumferentialedge portions of diaphragm 25 andmember 11, respectively. A slot 14a is formed in pin '14 and'extendslongitudinally in the exterior surface thereof from the free end of thepin to a point14b thereon; Notch 11a and slot 14a are in a common planethat passes through the longitudinal of pin 14. In

the assembly, of diaphragm 25 and member 11, notches 11a and 25aaredispose'd in aligned positions.

. Diaphragm 19 (Figure3) has anarrow, inwardly ex-- .tending'tooth- 19aformed as a part thereof that is in radial alignment with nub 22, andthis tooth is adapted to slidably'engage slot14a. Unless tooth 19a soengages the slot 14a, itis impossible to assemble the invention in theform shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Thus, it is impossible to so assemblethe invention that the hammer said first and second members together,with said pe- "r iph'eral edge portions thereof being in adjacenttransversely spaced relationship; a first resilient diaphragm that hasthe circumferential edge portion thereof in abutting contact with saidperipheral edge portion of said first member, which first diaphragm hasa first centrally disposed bore formed therein and a second-hub in axialalignment with said bore, which second hub engages said first hub,with'said pin extending through said boreyasecond resilient diaphragmthat hasthe circumterential edge portion thereof in abutting contactwith said peripheral edge portion of s'aid second member,

- said second-diaphragm being-formed with a centrally disposed secondbore and a third. hub in axial alignment with said second bore throughwhich said pin extends, with said second diaphragm being transverselyspaced from said first diaphragm; transversely movable noise makingmeans supported from said second'dia- A" noise making toy as defined inclaim 1 wherein phragm, said noise making means normally being inforceful contact with said first diaphragm; and a string afiixed to saidpin that may wind on or unwind therefrom-as said toyrotates, said stringbeing narrower than said transverse spacing between said first andsecond diaphragms, which string momentarily separates said noise makingmeans from said first diaphragm each time-said top completes onerevolution, and said noise making meansmaking a noise each time saidnoise making means returnsjinto forceful contact with said firstdiaphragm.

2. A noise making toy as defined in claim 1 wherein said noise makingmeans is a spring-loaded striker that is at all times urged into contactwith said: second diaph Y said noise making means is an elongate portionof said second diaphragm that can pivot transversely relative thereto,and a hammeris provided that ismounted on the free extremity of saidelongate portiornwith said hammer at all times-being urged into contactwith said first p ra m 7 I 4. A noise makingtoy as defined in' claim 1wherein saidmoiselmaking means comprises a tubular housing that extendstoward said first diaphragm from said. secondcover member and is inaxial alignment with a bore formed in said second diaphragm,a-cylindrical striker isqslidablymounted in said housing, and acompressed helical spring is mounted, in said housing that isincontactrwith said striker and continuously urgessamegto move-inadirectiontocontact said first diaphragm.

31 or lug 33 will be out of alignment with nub 22. Y

When the alternate form of the invention is used, the notch 11a, slot14a, and the longitudinal centerline of housing 36 are all in thesamecommon plane. Likewise in the alternate form, notch 25a and the centerof openingi34are in radial alignment. Although other means may beemployed for proper assembly of the preferred and alternate forms of theinvention, those above described have been found most convenient. p a

7 It will be obvious to' thoseskilled in the art-that 5. 'A-noisemakingrtoy as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfirst diaphragm is providedwith a projecting tooth and a nub that is contactable by said noisemaking means, and said pin has a longitudinally extending slot formedtherein that is slidably engaged by said tooth to prevent rotation ofsaid first diaphragm relative to said pinto maintain said ,nub inalignment with saidtnoise makingmeans,

6. A noise making toy as defined in claim 1 wherein first and. secondweighted washers are provided which increase the kinetic energy of: saidtoy, when same is various changes may be made in the invention, without.

departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore i theinvention is not limited by that WhlCh iS shown in the drawing anddescribed in the specification, but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A noise making toy comprising: a first cover memher having anintegrallyformed, outwardly projecting peripheral edge portion and afirst centrally disposed hub; a second cover member of the same size assaid first cover member that also has an integrally formed, outwardlyprojecting peripheral edge portion as well as a centrally disposed pinthat engages said first hub to hold rotating, with the'firstof saidwashers being mounted on said first hub and disposed between theinterior surface ofgsaid first cover member and theouter end of saidsecond hub, and said second washer being mounted on said pin positionedbetween the free .end;of said third nub and the interior surface of saidsecond cover References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES.PATENTS 783,874 Gould 'Mar. 28, 1905 1,806,485 Mirafuentcs May 19, 19312,390,349 Blanchette Dec. 4, 1945 2,517,849 Vincent Aug. 8, 195072,591,954: Madsen ,Apr.- 8,1952

